Interspecific tree named &#39;WESTON&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
     1. Tree with vigorous, upright growth.   2. Heavy and regular bearer of large size fruit.   3. Relatively uniform ripening of fruit throughout the tree.   4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   5. Fruit with good balance between acid and sugar.   6. Fruit with an attractive orange skin and flesh color.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Interspecific Prunus species

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘WESTON’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofinterspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of interspecifics and apricots, which areknown to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Wescot’ Interspecific (U.S. PlantPat. No. 16,597) and our non-patented proprietary interspecificseedlings ‘318LN552’, ‘19Z215’ and the non-patented proprietary apricotseedlings with the field identification numbers ‘285LP23’, ‘101LE490’and ‘160LH337’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree [(Prunusarmeniaca×Prunus salicina)×Prunus armeniaca] was developed by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as a first generationcross between our proprietary non-patented interspecific selection withthe field identification number ‘318LN552’ and the non-patented apricotselection ‘285LP23’. The seed parent ‘318LN552’ interspecific(non-patented) originated as an open pollinated seedling selection fromour non-patented proprietary interspecific seedling ‘19Z215’. Thenon-patented apricot pollen parent ‘285LP23’ originated from a firstgeneration cross between our non-patented proprietary apricot selections‘101LE490’ and ‘160LH337’. A large number of these first generationseedlings were grown on their own root system and under close andcareful observation the present seedling exhibited desirable fruit andtree characteristics and was selected in 2007 for additional asexualpropagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree (Plumcot×Apricot) is oflarge size, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearerof large, freestone, orange flesh fruit with very good flavor and eatingquality. The fruit is further characterized by having an attractiveorange skin color, firm flesh with good handling and shipping quality.,In comparison to the interspecific seed parent (318LN552) (non-patented)the new variety sets more fruit per tree and is approximately 12 dayslater in maturity. In comparison to its non-patented apricot pollenparent (285LP23) the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and hasa more attractive orange skin color. In comparison to the commercialvariety ‘Wescot’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,597) the fruit ofthe new variety is larger in size and is approximately 20 days later inmaturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the. leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 6 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first growing            season. Varies slightly with type of soil, fertility and            climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching Habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, normal fruit thinning necessary            for desired market size fruit. Fruit set varies with            climatic conditions during bloom season.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 4 consecutive years. No            alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile, sets fruit under bag.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase amount of sunlight to center of tree to enhance            fruit color, Brix and health of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 900 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large. Circumference of 58.4 cm at 23.0 cm above            ground on a 6 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 5/2 to 5Y 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 8.9 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 30 in a 25.8 square cm area.            Average length 4.8 mm. Average width 1.9 mm. Color varies            from 2.5Y 7/8 to 2.5Y 6/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/6 to 7.5R 3/4. Mature            growth varies from 7.5YR 2/2 to 10YR 2/2, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 98.2 mm. Average width 79.6 mm.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Apex.—Cuspidate.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower            surface relatively smooth, except for small ridges created            by midrib and pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 40.9 mm. Average width 1.4 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Surface glabrous. Color varies from            5GY 5/6 to 7.5R 2/6.        -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — small to medium. Average            length 0.7 mm. Average diameter 0.5 mm. Average number 3,            varies from 2 to 4. Located primarily on base of leaf blade            and upper portion of petiole. Color 7.5R 2/4.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 5.7 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color varies from 5GY 7/6 to 5GY 6/8.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 3/6 to 7.5GY 3/6. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein color            varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 5GY 5/6.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 14.3 mm. Average diameter 8.6            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 2.1 mm. Average width 1.4 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 8/6 to 2.5GY 7/6. Surface — glabrous.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 9/2 to 7.5RP 6/2.        -   Number of buds per spur.—Varies from 7 to 10, average            number 8. Varies with age of spur.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 22, 2013. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 4, 2013, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average height 17.8 mm. Average            diameter 24.7 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            medium to large. Average length 12.6 mm. Average width            15.5 mm. Form orbicular. Arrangement — overlapping. Margin —            sinuate. Color varies from 7.5RP 9/2 to N 9.5/ (white),            fades with age of flower.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            large. Average length 7.1 mm. Average width 6.8 mm. Shape —            ovate. Margin — entire. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous. Color — upper surface 2.5R 3/8. Lower surface            varies from 2.5R 3/8 to 5R 2/6.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 31. Average length            12.2 mm. Filament color N 9.5/ (white). Anther color varies            from 5Y 8/8 to 5Y 8/10.        -   Pollen.—Self-fertile. Color varies from 5Y 8/8 to 5Y 8/10.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Surface — pubescent. Average            length 11.6 mm. Position of stigma an average of 4.4 mm            below anthers. Color varies from 7.5Y 8.5/4 to 7.5Y 8/4.        -   Fragrance.—Heavy.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 9/2 to N 9.5/ (white).        -   Pedicel.—Average length 2.6 mm. Average width 1.4 mm. Color            varies from 10Y 7/6 to 2.5GY 7/6.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Usually 1, varies from 1 to            2.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 10, 2013.        -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 18, 2013, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 72.9 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 71.0 mm. Average across suture            plane 65.3 mm. Average weight 190.3 grams, varies slightly            with fertility of the soil, amount of thinning and climatic            conditions.        -   Form.—Elongated.        -   Suture.—Lipped, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Lipped, well sealed.        -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 7.2 mm. Average diameter 7.0 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 8.1 mm. Average diameter 3.9 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 5/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial apricots.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 16.0°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 3.75YR 5/12 to 6.25YR 6/12.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 35.0 mm. Average width 32.0 mm.            Average depth 9.0 mm. Color varies from 6.25YR 6/12 to            3.75YR 5/12.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Slightly waffled.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, short in length.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5YR 5/10 to 6.25YR 6/12.            Overspread with 5R 3/8 where exposed to the sun.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Slight to none.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Freestone.        -   Size.—Large. Average length 32.6 mm. Average width 27.2 mm.            Average thickness 13.8 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Usually flat, varies on some stones from flat to            slightly rounded.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout, pits vary from round to            elongated.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—Extend from base to apex.        -   Tendency to Split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 4/2 to 10YR 4/4 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 21.1 mm. Average width 15.1 mm.            Average depth 7.5 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 7.5YR 9/2 to 10Y 9/2.-   Use:    -   -   Dessert.—Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 3 weeks at 38° to    42° F. without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of    flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or bruising of flesh    during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program. The present new variety of    interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described    may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and    cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present    description is that of the variety grown under the ecological    conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially asillustrated and described.